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Many historians believe the Exodus took place during the reign of Ramses II.  This giant statue of a pharaoh was originally carved around 1900 BCE.  Over 600 years later it was re-worked by Ramses II into an image of himself with his inscription.

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Baby Moses would have seen boats like this when he looked out from his basket.

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The Bible has inspired paintings by many of the world's greatest artists including

Botticelli.  His "Annunciation" combines human and divine gracefulness.

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The Christmas story began when "there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."  His bust gives a sense of the relatively peaceful era of Pax Romana.

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As King David looks on from the castle dimly visible in the background, Bathsheba is being bathed by her maids.  Employing the contrast of light and shadow for which he was famous, Rembrandt's depiction of the Toilet of Bathsheba gives a sense of foreboding for the tragic events about to happen with Bathesha and her military husband, Uriah the Hittite.

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Visit the Greco-Roman world of St. Paul and the New Testament; the world of philosophers and emperors.  And meet Aretmis, goddess of the hunt, one of the major goddesses of the ancient Mediterranean world.

When John the Divine, the author of the Book of Revelation, wrote to the church at Sardis, the Christian church was a new start-up.  Most of the established citizens in town worshipped at the temple of Artemis, one of the columns of which is above. When speaking at a temple to the same goddess in Ephesus, St. Paul nearly started a riot.

 

Price:  $60 per person, price includes all day admission to the Met after the tour

Discounts for groups, discounts for New York residents

Tour at 11:00 Friday mornings; other times upon request

Contact:  Mel Lehman at mellehman89@gmail.com or call 212-865-6115.

Quotes from tour participants:

"I took a tour with Mel and learned a great deal about the ancient world in the time of the Hebrew patriarchs and prophets. Of special interest were Mel’s stories from his many humanitarian visits to the Middle East.  It’s hard to go wrong with a guy who’s been to the Garden of Eden (according to the locals near Ur, Iraq.)"

     -Patrick Bringley former New Yorker staff who spent a decade as a Met museum guard and author of the book "All the Beauty in the World" about his time at the Met.

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"I highly recommend Mel Lehman’s tour of Biblical Archaeology at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I have been on many tours. Giving a tour with the right amount of energy, enthusiasm, and comprehensive knowledge is not easy. Mel has nailed it.

 

"His enthusiasm for Biblical Archaeology was evident throughout the two-hour tour. Mel knows a lot about religion in general, and the Bible in particular. It was an excellent blend of tourist-friendly 'light information' and a deep dive into history.

"Mel’s tour takes you to a variety of galleries inside the museum, but Mel keeps them organized with a chronological thread that is easy to follow. This is further aided by a multi page handout that is a good reference tool for following that chronology.  The Metropolitan can be overwhelming as a museum: having a confident and knowledgeable guide like Mel is a great help. Artifacts that I would have easily overlooked take on a new significance with his insights.

"Maybe the most important thing is that Mel is a genuinely friendly person. He wants to know about the people he is taking on the tour and engage them in conversation. This makes the experience all the more personal."

     -Bill Kahn

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"Mel Lehman leads a wonderful tour.  He is super knowledgeable, gleaning a wealth of information from his many travels to the Middle East. He also interjects some humor and trivial tidbits to spice things up.  Highly recommended."

     -Suki Rae

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"Taking a tour at the Met with Mel Lehman is so enriching and eye-opening. I recommend it. I didn't know any of these things he so kindly and generously pointed out to our group. Fascinating!! I have previously been to the museum so many times. This was the most helpful and interesting because of Mel's excellent explanations and insight. He is knowledgeable and able to give depth, partly because of his many travels, historical interest and Biblical research. So worth it!  A guide is important."  

     -Carla Marie Rupp, New York City. Member of Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship church

Thanks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for several of these images.

(c) Mel Lehman, 2024

                                       Your Tour Guide

                                           Mel Lehman

 

 

 

                                         holds Masters Degrees from

                                         Union Theological Seminary

                                         and Columbia University.  He

                                         has traveled frequently to the

                                         Middle East and visited 

                                         many ancient sites.  He                                                  directs Common Humanity                                              a non-profit humanitarian                                                peacemaking organization                                              which uses art exhibits

                                         to build understanding,                                                    respect and friendship                                                     between people in the U.S.                                             and the Middle East and                                                 Muslim world.  He is a                                                     Mennonite deacon in his                                                 home congregation and                                                   occasionally serves as a lay                                           preacher.   He has worked                                               as a tour guide in New York                                             for nearly two decades.

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And much, much more

including King Solomon's Temple

and a coin of Roman Emperor 

Nero who may have been the

Antichrist referred to in Revelation.

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